President Obama and other lawmakers have been insisting, over and over, that a balanced budget deal must include more revenue. Yet, the federal government is projected to collect more revenue in 2013 than ever before.

After a marathon voting session over the weekend, the Senate finally did what it hasn’t done in the last four years: passed a budget proposal. And after that, it was only fitting that the majority and minority leaders took to the Senate floor to do their own “chicken dance.” But before we get too carried away, it’s worth taking a closer look at whether Saturday’s “Herculean feat” is really a cause for celebration.

Has the word “balance” lost all meaning in Washington? The White House says a “balanced approach” must include entitlement reform. The Senate wants a “balanced approach” that leaves entitlements alone. Neither one actually balances the budget, but Republican and Democratic plans from the House promise just that. Just another example of confusing rhetoric intended to obscure business as usual.